Learn how to dye skeins of wool with fresh plant matter and extracts

Which plants to use and why. How to prepare wool to dye well. Learn about mordants and how different colours can appear from one dye bath. We will use a variety of common plants to get a range of colours. With these techniques, you will be able to dye yarn at home and achieve good results.

What you will learn

• Preparation of wool fibres for natural dyeing

• Dyeing process using plants

• Techniques for good colourfastness

Take away

• Sample book with yarn swatches of colours obtained using Tarndie Polwarth wool

• Showbag of Tarndie white wool to start dyeing at home

About the tutor

Heather has been working with natural fibres + plant colour for more than two decades and imparts her knowledge and expertise through regular workshops, symposiums and consultations.

With an Advanced Diploma of Arts in Studio Textiles (RMIT 2011), Heather was awarded first place in the Dreamweaver Design Award sponsored by Warwick Fabrics in 2008.

She directs her own business Wild Heather, and says “I have been exploring the plant kingdom and the extraction of colour for many years – dyeing yarns + cloth with fresh foraged leaves + dried extracts of plants. Facilitating workshops + events is the perfect way to share such knowledge”

Find out  more here

Includes:

• Polwarth natural yarn (valued at $25.00)

• Tuition from Heather of Wild Heather

• Plant dyes

• Your own swatch book to take home

• Delicious morning tea

• Tour of historic “Tarndwarncoort” – working wool farm and view the plans for the Dye Garden and existing dye rich trees/plants.

You will take away

• Swatch book of dyed yarn

• A list of helpful links to continue your learning.

Please bring your own

• Notebook

• Apron

• Lunch to eat in the sunny courtyard or before the fire in the Homestead Dining Room

Fee

$135 - to book, select the correct date and workshop class from the Workshops page.